The 13th Floor collection blog tour is on fire!

Today I've distracted my dragonslayer with a mission out of state. I don't want him to know where I'm going. Not all dragons are evil, but I can't convince him of that!

I'm excited to be heading over to the great cave of Father Dragon. I'll be talking about the doubts I had while writing the 13th Floor series and how I managed to motivate myself to get past them.

The 13th Floor collection tour continues

Do you have your copy of The 13th Floor Complete Collection yet?

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I'm handing over the keyboard to a talented reporter today. Lois King was the one who revealed to the world that dragons still exist. What? You don't remember that article? Hmm, something suspicious is going on.

Head on over to Jackie Felger's blog to read a little slice from Lois' life with dragonslayer, Xan.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway on Cherie's blog for a chance to win a signed copy of the collection!

Wicked Wednesday - breaking free of the usual formula

I've been reading a lot of Jeaniene Frost's books lately. She's one of the best selling paranormal romance authors. I love her books. (And Bones. Especially Bones!) Yet her books have a definite formula. In fact, a lot of books in this genre have the same formula. Here's the basic plot:

Girl meets boy. There is instant attraction even if neither act on it. One or both of them are supernatural creatures and/or have paranormal abilities. The villain enters. Bad stuff happens. Girl and boy can't resist each other. Something causes them to break apart and/or push one another away. More bad stuff. Big final battle. Evil is thwarted. The happily ever after ending.

With a market that is overflowing with paranormal romances of the usual formula, as a writer, you need to find a way to break out of it to get yourself noticed. Readers still love the classics like vampires and werewolves, but they want new twists.

As I've been writing my 13th Floor series, I've been experimenting on breaking free of the old formula. I still have the key ingredients, but I'm trying out some new twists.

The Marquis - I featured an older couple. Usually in romance, the lovers are young. Or, in the case with some supernatural beings, they look and act young even if they're centuries old. Did the readers like it? I've gotten some compliments about using an older couple, but it is the book that sells the least in the series.

The Alpha - It's common for paranormal romances to features an Alpha male. I twisted that trope and used an Alpha female. Her love interest is a geek. This still remains the most popular of my books. Readers do love strong women and superhero wannabe geeks.

The Dragonslayer - A modern day dragonslayer who is a complete gentleman instead of the typical bad boy. Xan's an Alpha male, but not in an overbearing way. His strength shows through in honor, chivalry, and his morals. And fighting dragons! It's still a bit early to tell, but Xan has many fans.

The Harbinger - Another story where the lead male character is a gentleman rather than a bad boy. The protagonist is a powerful woman. Feminine and a fighter. She's also a harpy. I'm curious to see how a creature usually not featured in this genre goes over with readers.

What are some of your favorite books that break from the usual formula?

Day 4 of The Dragonslayer blog tour

A great way to spend the weekend is in the company of a good book. Do you have your copy of The Dragonslayer yet?

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Today we have dragons and a dragonslayer.

Media Sharif did a character interview with Xan. Find out how he keeps his body in top shape!

In continuing with my supernatural creatures theme, I'll be talking about dragons on TF Walsh's blog. Fearsome or friendly?

Bonus stop today at YA fantasy author Graeme Ing's.
He asks me about my favorite books and characters. 

Today's tidbit: You'll see a little more about the 13th floor when Lois is stuck in the apartment with Xan. Yet no matter what happens, you can't convince a skeptic like her that anything might be magical.

Day 3 of The Dragonslayer blog tour

It's day three already!

What an amazing response I've already had.

Today I have three blogs on my tour.

The first stop is with one of my fellow Untethered Realms members. Have you checked us out on FB yet?

I'll be discussing marketing tips for indie authors over at Mary Pax's. It's tough promoting yourself when all you want to do is write!

A fellow paranormal romance author Anna Abner interviewed me. I talk about my writing schedule and give a few peeks of what is coming in the series.

My last stop today is with my fabulous beta reader, Clare Dugmore. We chat about our favorite dragons in modern media and what it takes to be a dragonslayer.

Today's tidbit: The business side to being a writer is tough for me. I have enough smarts and common sense to understand what I need to do, but I think it takes a clever mind and guts to really do a good job of it. It's not easy putting yourself and your work out there.

First day of The Dragonslayer blog tour

1303 - The Dragonslayer is here!
You cannot resist the lure of dragons
or a dragonslayer that hot!
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I have a fantastic blog tour lined up. It's my biggest one yet for the 13th Floor series. Prepare yourself for five fantastic days of dragons, writing, marketing, romance, and Xan.

I have four lovely hosts to start off the tour.

Nicole Singer interviewed me and asked
some thoughtful questions about my characters' names.

My romance series continues with Kyra Lennon.
Opposites do attract with Xan and Lois.

I have a guest post on what if questions and whys in writing on Damyanti's blog. Do you play with what ifs in your mind to inspire you?

I have an excerpt and five tips on marketing paranormal romance on Gwen Gardner's site. You have to have something extraordinary for these fans.

Today's tidbit: The interaction between Xan and Lois made me laugh out loud in public when I was writing it.

1303 - The Dragonslayer cover reveal

Title: 1303 - The Dragonslayer
The 13th Floor series, #3
Genre: paranormal romance
Release date: February 13th, 2013

Blurb:

On the rooftop of neighboring building, dragonslayer Xanthus Ehrensvard fires at his target, Governor Whittaker. How he missed the shot, he doesn't know, but fleeing the scene, he picks up an unwanted passenger. Gorgeous reporter Lois King saw Xan's face, and she believes it's the story to make her career. Except he can't let her walk away knowing what he looks like. Xan has to show her the Governor is a bigger threat to the world than he is.

Xan knows dragons never went extinct. They evolved with human society, taking on mortal forms, and slithered their way into positions of great influence and power, just like the Governor. But it's no easy chore proving to someone that dragons still exist, and even more so, they're disguised as famous people. Xan must convince Lois or find another way to silence her. An option, as he gets to know her, he likes less and less.

After all, dragonslayers are no longer celebrated heroes but outlaws. Just as the dragons wish it. But this outlaw must make a plan to slay the dragon or risk its retribution.

Mark The Dragonslayer "to read" on Goodreads.

I do realize it's not exactly like the previous two covers. The model isn't staring forward, but I saw this picture and I was mesmerized. That is Xan. That's my dragonslayer! The fact he's shirtless is just a bonus. Heh.

Now who wants to be a part of my tour next month?!

I also have a bonus guest post over at Livia Peterson's blog. I'm talking about writing a series. What do you have to think about when planning to write a series?

Don't forget to enter the giveaway on Cherie Reich's blog for your chance to win the first ebooks in the 13th Floor series and an ARC of The Dragonslayer.

The Next Big Thing and other reminders

The talented Cher Green has tagged me in The Next Big Thing.

Thank you, Cher, and here we go with 10 questions about my current work in progress!

1) What's the working title of your book? 1303 - The Dragonslayer.

2) Where did the idea come from for your book? I've had the idea of a modern day dragonslayer in my head for a while now. Taking a traditional epic fantasy character and putting him into an urban fantasy tale. I don't quite remember where I came up with it.

3) What genre does your book fall under? Paranormal romance.

4) What actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? Xan the dragonslayer is easy for me to cast: Alexander Skarsgard. No question in my mind. For Lois, maybe Jennifer Connelly. I'm flexible on this. A spunky brunette just over 30 years of age. And for the villain, the big bad dragon, Gary Oldman.

5) What is the one sentence synopsis for the book? A modern day dragonslayer misses his target and acquires an unwanted companion as he tries to flee the scene.

6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? Self-published.

7) How long did it take to write the first draft of your manuscript? I'm still writing! I'm about halfway done. Maybe. It's a little longer than I expected. I need to cut out some of the chatter when I revise.

8) What other books would you compare this story to in your genre? A bit like Katie MacAlister's dragon series with having dragons in a modern day setting. I'm finding it hard to think of anything else it's like.

9) What else about the book might pique the reader's interest? Dragons! And a hot dragonslayer.

10) Hey, there was only nine questions. Is the tenth suppose to be where I tag other people? I'm not going to tag anyone. If you want to do The Next Big Thing, be my guest. It's a great way to share with readers what you're working on.

If you'd like to participate in the cover reveal for The Dragonslayer on January 18th, please send me an email at christinerains [dot] writer @ gmail [dot] com. Also, if you'd like to host me on The Dragonslayer blog tour during February 13th - 17th, send me a message. Check out the 13th Floor series page for all future tour dates and cover reveals.

Don't forget to enter my 400 Followers Giveaway! You can win the first two ebooks in the 13th Floor series.

The date for the next Writers4Writers Group event is set! Mark Monday, February 18th on your calendars. We'll be featuring two authors this time around. Sign up on the linky list and help your fellow writers.

You may notice a new badge on my sidebar. Untethered Realms is a group of seven authors that write speculative fiction. I'm honored to be a part of this amazing group of writers. Click the badge to "like" us on Facebook. We're just getting organized, but we're getting some great ideas.

Last but not least, tomorrow is the official release of 1302 - The Alpha and the start of my blog tour. Sunday is an odd day, but I have a fantastic interview lined up with Heather Musk. Yesterday she wrote a wonderful review for Fearless. Check it out and hopefully we'll see you tomorrow.

Wicked Wednesday - The Dragonslayer

1303 - The Dragonslayer

Dragons never went extinct. They evolved with human society, taking on mortal forms, and slithered their way into positions of great influence and power. The dragonslayers, too, changed into something new. They became men who live in the shadows and carry guns rather than lances. No longer celebrated heroes, they are the outlaws now. Just as the dragons wish it.

Perching on the rooftop of neighboring building, Xanthus Ehrensvard fires and misses his target, Governor Whittaker. How he missed the shot, he doesn't know, but in fleeing the scene, he picks up an unwanted passenger. Gorgeous reporter Lois King saw Xan's face, and she believes it's the story to make her career. Except he can't let her walk away knowing what he looks like. Xan has to show her the Governor is a bigger threat to the world than he is.

It's no easy chore proving to someone that dragons still exist, and even more so, they're disguised as famous people. Xan must convince Lois or find another way to silence her. An option, as he gets to know her, he likes less and less. Even as he battles Lois' tenacity, he must make a plan to slay the dragon or risk its retribution.

(Blurb subject to change!)

The idea of a modern day dragonslayer has long been in my head. What if some of those infamous assassins we know from history were saving the world from something worse?

I also imagine dragonslayers still hold to a rigid code. No more gleaming suits of armor, but they're still paladins nonetheless. Honorable, chivalrous, and dedicated.